Switcheroo: The True Story

Well, I guess I spoke too soon. Oops.

Rewind: Last two weeks in April.

I did something bad.

There was this person that works for the same insurance company as I do, in the Sales Department, that added me on Facebook. We had a few mutual friends, so, I figured, what the heck. Friend request accepted.

We started talking, innocent at first. He was talking to me about how he had been working out, and said he wanted to 'show the progress that's been made'.

Ok, here's my phone number. A few shirtless photos later, WOW. But, um, I have a boyfriend. So no more of these. DELETE.

He started asking for photos of my underwear. NO SIR, I HAVE A BOYFRIEND. (Repeat x 923479327598).

Josh and I were arguing. I was weak (it's not an excuse). I gave in.

Josh found out by snooping through my Facebook when I accidentally left it open on MY computer. It was over.

He wanted to work things out. At first, I didn't. I thought that my co-worker was a better catch. He wasn't mean to me, didn't call me retarded or fat. Was nice. Everything Josh used to be.

Not that I wanted to try to pursue anything with my co-worker, but he just made me realize that I could have someone better.

Once Josh was starting to move on (or pretending to, at least), I was heartbroken. I did it to myself. But I wanted him back. Or, I thought I did.

Lots of tears, nights alone, and long talks. Family and friends by my side, even after my mistake. Showing me true love. I'm truly grateful for them.

I moved out, and moved on. It took a few months, but after about 3 months passed I wasn't crying myself to sleep anymore. I was realizing I could do so much better.

And eventually, I found something. SO. MUCH. BETTER.

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Fast Forward: July 2011

My life was turning around.

My mama has a best friend, Cathy. Or as I like to call her, Fronks. It just so happens, that her sister, Cindy, was my kindergarten teacher. Small world! Also, Fronks has a son, Derick.

I knew all about him ever since the good ol' elementary school days. He rode my bus in middle school. He played basketball and football in middle school and high school. I even knew who some of his friends were.

I had a good memory, and knew who a lot of people were. He didn't really know me, other than that my mama and his mama were friends.

One day, I saw on Facebook that Fronks and my mama and my sister, Mallory, added him on Facebook. We had some mutual friends so I thought, well, what the flip! I might as well add him too.

No expectations of anything, just another Facebook friend. I already had over 500 anyway, why would this be any different?

Sitting at my apartment (yes, my own apartment on my own. With Abu, of course), and I get a messsage on my phone from Facebook. Derick decided to instant message me. I wasn't really sure if he knew who I was, but I played along anyway.

We were chatting up a storm, and I was thinking it wasn't real. Mostly because he kind of hung out with some of the 'popular' kids in high school, and I hung out with the Band Geeks. Awesome. But he was totally handsome these days! In middle school and high school, he was a little baby chubbs. But these days, he got extra tall (6'4''!!) and slimmed down. And grew a baby beard. Sexiest man I've ever seen in my entire life.

Well, his mama found out somehow that we were talking, and I gave him my phone number to text me because I didn't always get all the Facebook messages delivered on my phone.

One day, he told me I should come over and hang out, and I was thinking, WHAT A CREEP!! Does he even know me? We've never really, like, officially met. Just talked on the internet and I only knew who he was in school!

So I told Fronks that I was too embarrassed to go there, because I didn't really know him. And he had this old roommate, Aaron, who is like 40 and drinks all the time. I was terrified. (Don't worry, Aaron and I are buddies now, like BFF status.)

Fronks set up a date, for Didi (ok, my sister Melissa and I came up with some crazy nicknames for him that we only call to each other, never to him directly) to come over to Fronks' house and Melissa and I would join for a friendly game of Apples to Apples. FUNNEST GAME EVER. If you must know.

It went well. He was shy. Melissa and I were obnoxious. The night before, I went out with Amanda to a small house-party, and I drank too much. Accidentally. So I woke up, hung over, messy hair, in my pajamas, make up halfway off my face. And this was my first real impression to Derick. WOW. Great. But all in all, it was totally fun. Even though, I couldn't even look at him. I felt so messy-looking, and he was seriously so handsome that day. Just like any other. But, you know.

At the end, Fronks said 'so, Mandy, now are you not so scared to hang out with Derick anymore??' I was so embarrassed! I didn't want him to know I was scared to go to his house!

After he left, he messaged me again on Facebook and told me that he thought I 'looked good' and he wanted me to come over to his house still. I was shocked. I thought he was going to just be like, 'well mom, thanks, but no thanks. She's not my type.' But I lucked out. I impressed. I'm not sure how, but I did. And I was glad.

We started hanging out, and he was still so shy. I was the one doing all the talking and asking questions, and initiating the hugs whenever I'd leave. Eventually he became less and less shy, and finally one day he smooched on me. And missed. So I told him to do it again. I laughed but he was so cute and I didn't care. I liked him a lot, and after close to a month of hanging out, he asked me to be his girlfriend.

OBVIOUSLY. I said yes. August 13, 2011. Lucky number 13 I hope.

I feel so much happier now, than I ever did with Josh. Even in the very beginning. I can laugh, be a dork, not wear make up all the time, and still feel like I'm appreciated by Derick.

I'm the first girl that he ever said 'I love you' to, and he's the first boy that has ever made me feel like he means it. The first boy that will introduce me to his friends. Show me off to them. That's kind of a big deal to me.

We may only be three months in, and I don't know what the future holds, but I'm honestly so happy and wouldn't change it for the world. He's the greatest.

<3

Derick and I on Halloween :]

I love him!